Archive May 12, 2025

Ex-UK home secretary: Trump unlikely to yield peace between Ukraine, Russia

Former British Home Secretary Charles Clarke has expressed little faith that United States President Donald Trump’s “combination of bullying and flattering” will produce a lasting ceasefire in Ukraine.

Trump, on April 17, presented Russia and Ukraine with a “final” ceasefire offer, which forces Kyiv to legally cede Crimea to Moscow, without offering it security guarantees.

“My picture from the outset, which is essentially pessimistic, is that Trump wanted his big moment and in the same way as with North Korea, he thought he could [coax Russia] into a situation,” said Clarke.

Trump had similarly tried to force North Korea into nuclear disarmament in 2019.

“I don’t myself see how [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy or Ukraine as a whole could ever concede de jure control of Crimea to Russia. They could concede de facto control, but Trump didn’t seem to take that distinction,” Clarke said.

“He’s shaken things up, but I think he’s been obviously far too credulous to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and to Russia in the whole process.”

Clarke spoke to Al Jazeera on the sidelines of the 16th Conference on Baltic Studies in Europe, hosted recently by Cambridge University’s Centre for Geopolitics, which Clarke co-directs with Brendan Simms, a professor of European geopolitics.

Can Europe face Russia?

The prospect of a possible ceasefire is rarely out of the headlines.

Over the weekend, Putin said Russia would engage in direct talks with Ukraine “without preconditions” – a rare offer throughout the conflict – after European leaders met Zelenskyy in Kyiv to call for a 30-day truce.

Ukraine and Europe have presented a ceasefire document, which, unlike Trump’s plan, makes no territorial concessions to Russia three years after it invaded Ukraine. The question is whether they are willing and able to back it with continued military effort if Russia and the US reject it.

“The scenario of a complete American withdrawal may be overly bleak right now, but it’s definitely a possibility,” said Simms.

Should Europe then offer Ukraine an independent security guarantee?

“I do think we should do that, but I think we should only do it if we are genuinely committed to going the full mile with Ukraine,” said Simms.

“I could quite easily see, for instance, a discourse in a country like Germany, which would say something like, ‘Well, it’s awful what’s happening in Ukraine, Trump is awful, [but] no we’re not going to do anything to help Ukraine, and we are going to use Trump as an excuse to walk away from supporting Ukraine’,” Simms said. “That is very much a discourse you’re beginning to hear in German public opinion.”

Both Clarke and Simms believed the Russian army’s ability to win an uncontestable military victory in Ukraine has been overestimated thanks to narratives touted by the Kremlin.

“There’s been far too much belief that the Russians have got an effective military and economic machine,” said Clarke, citing the Russian failure to take Kyiv in 2022 and losing control of the Black Sea to an adversary without a navy.

Russia’s territorial gains in Ukraine have slowed down dramatically, two separate analyses found last month.

The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom estimated that Russian forces seized 143sq km (55sq miles) of Ukrainian land in March, compared with 196sq km (75sq miles) in February and 326sq km (125sq miles) in January.

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington, DC-based think tank, spotted the same trend, estimating Russian gains of 203sq km (78sq miles) in March, 354sq km (136sq miles) in February and 427sq km (165sq miles) in January.

This pattern of diminishing returns had started in 2024, a year when Russia wrested away just 4,168sq km (1,610sq miles) of fields and abandoned villages – equivalent to 0.69 percent of Ukraine, the ISW determined in January.

Those meagre gains came at the cost of 430,790 soldiers, the equivalent of 36 Russian motorised rifle divisions, outnumbering Russia’s losses in 2022 and 2023 combined, said Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence.

As Russia prepared to celebrate the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II, its losses in Ukraine were approaching the one million mark, Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said.

Al Jazeera is unable to independently verify casualty tolls.

“They do have weight of numbers on their side, but weight of numbers only counts if you’ve got willing fighters,” said Clarke. “And there’s a great deal of evidence that there’s real problems for the Russian leadership in terms of the attitude of Russian troops and Russian positions.”

While Europe could ultimately step up defence industrial capacity, Clarke cautioned that Europe would nonetheless struggle to replace US intelligence, political coherence and command and control.

A European force for the Baltic

These issues have recently come to the fore, as Europe grappled with the possibility of fielding a peacekeeping ground force in Ukraine.

Simms argued in favour of creating it, but against deploying it in Ukraine as a peacekeeping force.

One reason is that European militaries are not trained for the drone warfare now being developed in Ukraine and will not be effective, he said.

“The other consideration is that the Ukrainian army is our most effective ally. If we deploy forces as part of a peace deal, which will end the war in Ukraine by definition and take the Ukrainians out of the conflict, we will end up in a situation where our mobile force, our only deployable force, the preponderance of it will be fixed in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin will no longer be fixed in Ukraine. He can pivot to face the Baltic states in the high north, and the Ukrainians will no longer be in the field. So that will be almost like … a self-inflicted wound.”

A European mobile force should keep its powder dry for deployment wherever Putin strikes next, said Simms, most likely in the Baltic states, while Europe helps Ukraine in long-range fires – drones and missiles – and provides air cover.

Russia’s psyops: Nuclear blackmail

Clarke said it is “absolutely possible” that Europe and Kyiv can win the war without Washington’s support, but warned of a “high risk strategy” should Ukraine “hold on so long that Russia would fall over”.

Europe and Ukraine could win if Europe overcame its fear of nuclear blackmail, said Simms.

Putin threatened the use of nuclear weapons from the outset, he said, but did not use them when Ukraine claimed back 20,000sq km (7,720sq miles) of its territory in September 2022, nor when Ukraine counter-invaded Russia in August 2024.

An injured woman sits near her house, which was damaged by a Russian airstrike
An injured woman near her house, damaged by a Russian air attack, in a Kyiv neighbourhood, Ukraine, April 24, 2025 [Evgeniy Maloletka/AP Photo]

Yet fear of nuclear retaliation prevented Germany from giving Ukraine its 500km-range (310-mile) Taurus missile, which carries a 450kg warhead and impacts at high speed, devastating its targets.

“It’s not at all clear that if a power station in Moscow were destroyed by a Taurus, that [Putin] would use nuclear weapons. In fact, I think it is unlikely,” said Simms.

David Beckham plots ‘family summit’ with Brooklyn over Nicola’s ‘festering’ tension

David and Victoria Beckham are hoping to ‘put the fire out’ after tensions grew within the family. Their eldest son, Brooklyn, and his wife Nicola Peltz even snubbed David’s 50th birthday celebrations

The Beckham’s keen to ‘heal family rift’ after Nicola Peltz ’caused things to fester’(Image: Instagram)

David and Victoria Beckham are reportedly extremely ‘keen to heal the rift’ between the family and Brooklyn Beckham and his wife, Nicola Peltz. The famous family have been hitting headlines in recent weeks as the aspiring chef and his socialite wife snubbed David Beckham’s 50th birthday celebrations.

Not only did they fail to show up to the many parties, they also didn’t publicly acknowledge the milestone birthday on social media. Just weeks before, Victoria celebrated her 51st birthday but her eldest son did share any posts on his Instagram page and instead opted to attend Coachella Festival with his Bates Motel actress wife.

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NICOLA AND BROOKLYN BECKHAM PELTZ
AT COACHELLA
Tensions have reportedly been rising since their wedding in 2022(Image: Instagram )

However, the feud has reportedly been festering since Brooklyn and Nicola’s wedding in 2022. While at first there were tales of tension between Nicola and former Spice Girl mother-in-law Victoria Beckham – which they later appeared to try to silence by supporting each other both online and at events and fashion shows in real life – things took a turn in recent weeks when it was implied Brooklyn had clashed with younger brother Romeo Beckham, 22, and his choice of girlfriend; Kim Turnbull, 24.

There have also been claims Nicola must be behind” the family fallout. Around the time Nicola and Brooklyn wed, rumours of a feud between the American actress and fashion designer Victoria have been swirling.

Nicola’s friends recently claimed “emotional abuse and toxic behaviour” are the reasons behind the fallout. However, David and Victoria reject the claims and are outraged by the suggestions.

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Mia Regan, Romeo Beckham, Cruz Beckham, Harper Beckham, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham
Sources claim David is keen to ‘heal the rift’(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

And now, a source has insisted the Beckham family are “keen to heal the rift” as David reached out to his eldest son and will ‘fly out to see him’ if he has to.

“They are going to put this fire out; David has said that he wants the dust to settle and for everyone to talk when emotions have settled down,” the insider told Hello!.

Although Brooklyn “hurt them” by airing their “dirty laundry”, the former footballer wants everyone to ‘iron things out.’ The same insider claimed Nicola hasn’t show ‘respect towards the family’ since joining the family.

“Tensions rose at their wedding and that situation has continued; Victoria and Nicola don’t really get along. Over the past few months, Nicola has been causing things to fester and everyone to fall out,” they said.

After it was claimed “toxic behaviour” was the reason behind the family fallout, sources close to David and Victoria rejected the reports and slammed the ‘deeply unpleasant attack’.

A source close to the Beckhams recently told the Mirror: “I don’t think anyone who has ever seen David and Victoria with their children would recognise this deeply unpleasant attack. It doesn’t even warrant a response it’s so ludicrous and patently untrue.”

The Mirror have reached out to Nicola and David’s representatives for comment.

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Zelensky Invites Pope Leo XIV To Ukraine During First Phone Call

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday invited Pope Leo XIV to Ukraine during their first phone call, in which he also thanked the newly installed pontiff for urging peace in Ukraine.

“I invited His Holiness to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers, to all our people,” Zelensky said in a post on social media.

The two leaders also discussed “the thousands of Ukrainian children deported by Russia”, Zelensky said, adding that Kyiv was counting on the Vatican’s help in returning them home.

“No more war!” Leo had urged from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to thousands gathered to hear his first prayer on Sunday.

READ ALSO: India And Pakistan Agree To Ceasefire After Days Of Attacks

He appealed for a “genuine, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, echoing his predecessor Francis.

Francis, who never visited Ukraine, had sparked frustration through his failure to clearly condemn Russia for the invasion and by calling for Ukraine to raise the “white flag”.

Kyiv however had recognised the Vatican’s efforts in mediating prisoner exchanges and the return of children taken to Russia from occupied parts of Ukraine.

Zelensky also said that he had told Leo about a joint ceasefire offer by Ukraine and its allies and that the two had agreed to “plan an in-person meeting in the near future”.

Meghan Markle’s estrangement from dad Thomas and bitter family feud that ‘worried’ Kate

Meghan Markle has cut all contact with her father, Thomas Markle Sr – and her estrangement from members of her family is said to have greatly concerned Princess Kate

Meghan says she grieves for her father(Image: Netflix)

It’s not only the royal family who are estranged from the Sussexes; Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have also cut all contact with her father Thomas Markle, as well as her half-siblings Samantha Markle and Thomas Markle Jr.

It was revealed this week that 80-year-old Thomas is ‘struggling’ with his new life in the Philippines, where he lives in a £500-a-month high-rise flat. The former Hollywood lighting director has settled on the densely populated island of Cebu, more than 7,000 miles from his daughter, son-in-law Prince Harry, and grandchildren Archie and Lilibet.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle’s half-brother Thomas set to spill memories in new book

Meghan Markle as a child hugging her father Thomas Markle
Meghan was once close to her father (Image: Netflix)

Thomas has never met the children, nor has he met Harry—despite the fact that the couple has been married since 2018. Speaking earlier this year about his decision to move abroad, Thomas said: “At 80, it is time to go somewhere where the people are lovely and I can enjoy a quieter, friendlier existence.

“Mostly, I just want peace. At 80, none of us know how long we have left. I want whatever time I have to be peaceful with none of the awful drama of recent years.”

That “drama” includes his public fallout with Meghan, which began in the lead-up to her royal wedding in May 2018, and is said to have especially concerned Princess Kate. It was originally confirmed that Thomas would be at the nuptials to give Meghan away.

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But things changed when he found himself at the centre of a media scandal. Thomas was caught staging paparazzi snaps of himself preparing for the wedding in exchange for payment, and then announced he would not be attending after the fallout from the scandal left him looking “stupid and hammy”.

The Palace, meanwhile, announced Thomas had suffered a heart attack, suggesting this was the reason for his absence. Over the years, Thomas has made public pleas to his daughter to reconcile and has said he is “desperate” for Meghan to forgive him.

In 2021, Meghan opened up about her estranged father as she sat down for the Sussexes’ bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey. “I grieve a lot,” she admitted before adding: “I mean, I’ve lost my father.”

Thomas Markle, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Harry was accused of adding fuel to the fire

Royal author Ingrid Seward said of the future Queen Catherine: “She could not understand why Harry had never met his future father-in-law, nor why Meghan, who Harry assured was The One and ‘ticked all his boxes’, appeared embarrassed about her family and unwilling to speak about them apart from her mother.”

According to Ingrid, Kate – who is incredibly close to her own family – found it “all a bit worrying”.

Harry, meanwhile, was accused of pouring fuel onto the fire in 2017 during a Radio 4 interview, when he was asked if there were family traditions he needed to explain to his future wife. “Plenty. We’ve got one of the biggest families that I know of and every family is complex as well,” he said. “She’s done an absolutely amazing job. She’s getting in there and it’s the family, I suppose, she’s never had.”

Writing in their book, Finding Freedom, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, noted: “Harry’s comment only heightened the already tenuous family dynamic and foreshadowed what was to come.”

In response to Harry’s remarks, Meghan’s half-sister Samantha took to X (formerly Twitter ), writing: “Actually she has a large family who were always there with her and for her. Our household was very normal and when dad and Doria divorced, we all made it so it was like she had two houses. No one was estranged, she was just too busy.”

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Leicester name Parling as head coach

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Leicester Tigers have appointed former England and British and Irish Lions lock Geoff Parling as their head coach from next season.

The 41-year-old has signed a long-term deal and replaces former Australia coach Michael Cheika, who leaves after just one season at Welford Road.

Parling, who won two Premiership titles as a Tigers player, is currently an assistant coach with Australia and will take over in August after working with the Wallabies for the series against the British and Irish Lions.

“I was lucky enough to have some incredible moments in the Leicester Tigers jersey, made through hard work by good people, and so I am extremely proud to be coming back to lead the club,” Parling told the club’s website.

“There are not many opportunities that would make myself and my family think about leaving Australia, the place we’ve called home for the past seven years, but coming back to Leicester Tigers is one that we are really looking forward to.”

Parling played almost 100 times in six seasons with the Tigers after joining them from Newcastle in 2009 and won England 29 caps.

He toured Australia with the British and Irish Lions in 2013, starting the second and third Tests, and also played for Exeter, Munakata Sanix Blues in Japan and Melbourne Rebels before retiring in 2018 and moving into coaching with the now-defunct Australian franchise.

He has worked as an assistant coach with the Wallabies since 2020.

“He is a high calibre coach, strong leader, and understands this club,” said Tigers chairman Tom Scott. “He achieved success here as a player and we believe he will as a coach.”

‘Heart and soul’

Parling said he still had “plenty of work to do” with the Wallabies before taking over at Tigers and was “very much focused on the immediate challenges ahead” with Australia preparing for a warm-up Test against Fiji on 6 July before the much-anticipated three-Test series against the Lions from 19 July to 2 August.

“I have felt incredibly privileged to work with a number of great people in my time here and would especially like to thank [head coach] Joe [Schmidt] for the environment he has created at the Wallabies,” he said.

“My family and I originally came to Australia for seven months and will now be leaving after seven years proud to call ourselves Australian citizens, and lucky to have lived in such a great community. I’m looking forward to continuing to work hard with our great staff and leaving Australia on a positive note.”

Peter Horne, Rugby Australia’s director of high performance, said Parling had “given his heart and soul to Australian rugby and for that we are very grateful”.

Tigers adopt ‘previously successful model’

Analysis by BBC Radio Leicester’s Adam Whitty

In the months of speculation and rumour, Geoff Parling’s name was barely mentioned as a potential successor to Michael Cheika. On the face of it though, it seems a sensible pick.

Parling was a fantastic player for Leicester over six seasons, and was in fact the last Tigers player to start a British and Irish Lions test in 2013.

In picking him, Leicester have had their cake and eaten it – they have followed a previously successful model of picking ex-players who know the club, and what works (see Dean Richards and Richard Cockerill), but have also recruited someone with loads of experience in club and international rugby abroad – who can continue to develop Tigers’ game.

There were just eight mentions of the fact this is a ‘long-term deal’ in the announcement from the club, a not-too-subtle hint that they are desperate to end the years of tumult that have followed the top job at England’s most successful club Parling will be their ninth head coach in nine years.

He will join pre-season late, after the Lions tour, which is not ideal, but if he’s the right man, is worth the risk.

He’ll take over a new-look squad, with players like Handre Pollard, Julian Montoya and Ben Youngs departing.

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  • Rugby Union
  • Leicester Tigers

ASUU Elects Chris Piwuna As New President

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has elected Chris Piwuna, a Professor of Medicine and Consultant Psychiatrist at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, as its new national president.

Piwuna, who also served as the immediate past National Vice President of the Union and Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos, succeeds Emmanuel Osodeke.

The new president was elected during ASUU’s 23rd National Delegates Congress held at the University of Benin, Edo State, on Sunday.

The election was reportedly contested between Piwuna and Professor Adamu Babayo of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

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His assumption of office comes amid heightened speculation of industrial action linked to the contentious sharing formula of the Earned Academic Allowances recently released by the Federal Government, ongoing brain drain, and other pressing issues within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

Austen Sado, vice president; Happiness Uduk, financial secretary; Peter Adamu, treasurer; Celestine Aguoru, investment secretary; Aisha Bawa, welfare officer; and Kassim Umar, internal auditor, were also elected to serve alongside Piwuna in the new national executive.

Osodeke served as the union’s president from May 30, 2021, until May 11, 2025, completing a four-year tenure. His leadership was defined by firm opposition to policies like the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and a push for university revitalisation and academic autonomy.